The Ministry of Tourism and Transport is encouraged by the projected rise in cruise ship visitors outlined in the recently released 2019 Cruise Ship Schedule.
In 2019, the island is expected to host an estimated 544,000 cruise ship passengers - 68,000 more than were hosted in 2018.
Minister of Tourism and Transport, The Hon. Zane DeSilva JP MP commented, “We have another growth year for cruise ship calls to Bermuda and we look forward to welcoming approximately 544,000 cruise ship passengers in 2019. Be assured, though, that our Government is very mindful of the big picture: the increase in cruise passengers, year over year, the need to balance air and cruise arrivals, and the challenge of providing the necessary infrastructure to serve all of our visitors.”
The Minister added, “My Ministry is working diligently to attract more business for Hamilton and St. George.”
This sharp rise in cruise ship visitors is, of course, matched by a rise in projected cruise ship calls for the year with an expected 192 calls scheduled for 2019 - 2 of which are scheduled for the month of January.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) continues to execute its strategy to attract cruise ships outside of the summer months and maintain an extended cruise ship season. An extended season brings more economic opportunity for Bermuda and also provides more work opportunities for residents.
BTA Chief Executive Kevin Dallas said, “The long lead time of the cruise ship industry means the Bermuda Tourism Authority has accounted for next year’s cruise passenger’s growth in the National Tourism Plan. Our focus between now and 2025 is better balance in Bermuda’s cruise business with more calls outside the summer months, increases in what cruise passengers spend on-island and, perhaps most importantly, growing the number of vacationers who arrive by air.”
Minister DeSilva also commented saying, “The tax revenue from cruise ship passengers is expected to increase by $7.9M in the coming year and, with an additional 68,000 passengers, the per person cruise visitor spending will also increase proportionate to the increase in the number of visitors.”
Some calls to note scheduled for the 2019 season include:
- 5 inaugural calls from:
- MS NCL Pearl– 20-21 April
- MS NCL Jade – 25-26 April
- MS Celebrity Edge – 30 April – 1 May
- MS Adventure of the Seas – 19 May
- MS Spirit of Discovery – 31 Dec. – 1 Jan.
- The Disney Magic cruise ship will return for five (5) occasional calls between 27 September and 25 October.
- On 16 October three (3) ships (MS Serenade of the Seas, MS Norwegian Escape, MS Aida Luna) will call in Dockyard.
- Adventure of the Seas (4,058 passengers) will make 6 calls to Bermuda in 2019 and will replace the Anthem of Seas (4,905 passengers) in 2020.
- There will be only one Holland America Cruise Line call to Bermuda in 2019 as compared to 8 calls in 2018.
To view the full 2019 Cruise Ship schedule please visit http://www.rccbermuda.bm.